Covering
about 610,043 ha, Hingol National Park, the largest National
Park in Pakistan, lies on the Makran coast approximately 190 km
from Karachi. The area was for the first time declared reserved
in 1988.The
park area covers parts of the three districts, namely; Lasbela,
Gawader and Owaran of Baluchistan province containing a variety of topographical features
and vegetation, varying from arid sub tropical forest in the
north to arid montane
in the west. Large tracts of the NP are covered with drift sand
and can be classified as coastal semi desert. The National Park
includes the
estuary of the Hingol river which supports a significant
diversity of bird and fish species.

Currently,
20 staff members including 18 game watchers, two deputy rangers are
responsible for the management of the Park under the guidance of the
park Manager who reports to the Conservator and the Secretary
Wildlife, Forest, Livestock, Environment and Tourism.

Wildlife:Although
no detailed inventories of

wildlife
have been undertaken, Hingol is known to support threatened invertebrates
in addition to a variety of bird species. One reliable
source informed thatthe
park has been an excellent habitat to wild animals including over
3000 ibexes, and1500
Urials and more than 1200 Chinkara, besides number of resident and
migratory birds. The Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata),
Dalmatian and Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)
are regular visitors to the area.

The
River Hingol has been nurturing crocodiles for centuries

.The Marsh Crocodile
(Crocodylus palustris), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys
olivacea) and Green Marine Turtles (Cheloniamydas),
endemic and threatenedspecies
of fish, such as the Mahasheer occur and schools of Plumbeous Dolphins (Sousa
plumbea) are known from close in-shoreareas.